Floating game assembly and method

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, there is provided a floating game, comprising a plurality of game markers that are floatable in water, and a game pad. The game pad is sufficiently floatable in water to support a plurality of humans thereon. The game pad includes a first side and a second side that face away from one another. At least one of the first side and the second side includes indicia shaped based on the plurality of game markers. The game pad is flexible and conforms in shape based on a surface of the water. The game pad is positionable in a storage state in which the game pad, and in a use state. The game pad is more compact in the storage state than in the use state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of 62/776,186, filed Dec. 6, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The specification relates generally to games, and more particularly to a game that can be played in water.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a game, and more particularly to a game that can be played in a body of water.

Existing games are traditionally played on land and many times indoors. As will be appreciated, when indoors, this does not allow a game player to enjoy the outdoors. Furthermore, when outdoors, certain games can become stale, lacking sufficient randomness or variation in the game play. Still further, certain games do not allow for play when the players are in or near a body of water.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, there is provided a floating game, comprising a plurality of game markers that are floatable in water, and a game pad. The game pad is sufficiently floatable in water to support a plurality of humans thereon. The game pad includes a first side and a second side that face away from one another. At least one of the first side and the second side includes indicia shaped based on the plurality of game markers. The game pad is flexible and conforms in shape based on a surface of the water. The game pad is positionable in a storage state in which the game pad, and in a use state. The game pad is more compact in the storage state than in the use state.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following Figures and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiment(s) described herein and to show more clearly how the embodiment(s) may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a game pad from a floating game assembly in an undeployed state.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the game pad shown in FIG. 1, in a deployed state.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of a plurality of game markers from the floating game assembly.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first side of the game pad.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a second side of the game pad.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the game pad, tethered to a dock with a single tether.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the game pad, tethered to a dock with two tethers.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the game pad, tethered to another game pad.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the Figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: “or” as used throughout is inclusive, as though written “and/or”; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; “exemplary” should be understood as “illustrative” or “exemplifying” and not necessarily as “preferred” over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

Any module, unit, component, server, computer, terminal, engine or device exemplified herein that executes instructions may include or otherwise have access to computer readable media such as storage media, computer storage media, or data storage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by an application, module, or both. Any such computer storage media may be part of the device or accessible or connectable thereto. Further, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, any processor or controller set out herein may be implemented as a singular processor or as a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors may be arrayed or distributed, and any processing function referred to herein may be carried out by one or by a plurality of processors, even though a single processor may be exemplified. Any method, application or module herein described may be implemented using computer readable/executable instructions that may be stored or otherwise held by such computer readable media and executed by the one or more processors.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depicts a floating game 10, which can include a plurality of game markers 12, a tether 14, a plurality of cinch straps 15, and a game pad 16. FIG. 1 depicts the game pad 16 in an undeployed state (also referred to as a storage state), and FIG. 2A depicts the game pad 16 in a deployed state (also referred to as a use state).

As illustrated, the floating game 10 can include four game markers 12, but it will be appreciated that other numbers of game markers 12 could be utilized without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The game markers 12 may each be cube-shaped. The game markers 12 can be configured to absorb water and can have anti-slip capabilities. For example, the game markers 12 may be sponges in some embodiments, and can be fabric-coated in order to increase the coefficient of friction of the game markers 12 with the game pad 16 (so as to provide anti-slip capability). In some embodiments, instead of being absorbent of water, the game markers 12 may be non-absorbent (i.e. resistant to absorption of water). For example, the game markers 12 may be made from a non-absorbent material such as a suitable polymeric material, and may lack cells or capillaries that would retain water.

Regardless of whether the game markers 12 are absorbent or are non-absorbent, the game markers 12 are preferably floatable in water (shown at 19 in FIG. 2B). In other words, the overall density of each game marker 12 is less than that of water, regardless of whether or not the game marker 12 has absorbed water or not.

The game pad 16 can be 5.5 feet×16 feet×1.375 inches. However, other sizes are contemplated without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As depicted, the game pad 16 has a weight of approximately 27 pounds and can be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, the game pad 16 can be made from two layers of foam material with a reinforcing mesh core layer (which may be referred to as a flexcore mesh) between the two layers, so as to provide strength and durability. The game pad 16 could alternatively include more layers, such as, for example, three to five layers, or alternatively fewer layers.

The game pad 16 is floatable in water (shown at 19 in FIG. 2A). Further, the game pad 16 can provide floatation to weight in addition to the weight of the game pad 16. For example, in the embodiment shown, the game pad 16 is sufficiently floatable to support 1200 pounds of distributed weight above the surface of the water 19. Thus, assuming that a human weighs less than 200 pounds, it is envisioned that at least six humans could be supported on the game pad 16 in water 19 in the embodiment shown. In other embodiments, the game pad 16 is sufficiently floatable to support a plurality of humans but more or fewer than six humans (e.g. two humans). In still another embodiment, the game pad 16 can support only one human.

The game pad 16 can include a first side 18, as shown in FIG. 3, and a second side 20, as shown in FIG. 4. The first side 18 can be grey in color and the second side 20 can be blue in color. However, other color combinations are contemplated. The first side 18 and the second side 20 face away from one another. In other words, one of the first and second sides 18 and 20 may face upwardly and the other of the first and second sides 18 and 20 may be downwardly, while the game pad 16 is floating on the water 19. Further, a distance between the first side 18 and the second side 20 defines a thickness of the game pad 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the first side 18 can include first indicia 18 a which relate to a first game, and as shown in FIG. 4 the second side 20 can include second indicia 20 a which relate to a second game.

The game pad 16 is flexible and conforms in shape based on a surface of the water 19. The surface of the water 19 is shown at 19 a in FIG. 2A. As is described further below, this enhances game play during use of the game pad 16.

When in the storage state, the game pad has a first exterior surface area. When in the use state the game pad has a second exterior surface area that is larger than the first area. In the example shown, the game pad 16 can be modeled as a cylinder having a diameter of approximately 1.3 feet when in the storage state. Using this information the exterior surface area of the game pad 16 in the storage state is approximately 0.65×0.65×Pi+0.65×0.65×Pi+1.3×Pi×5.5 which equals approximately 25.1 square feet. By contrast, the exterior surface area of the game pad 16 when in the use state is approximately 5.5×16+5.5×16, which equals 176 square feet (neglecting the surface area of the edges). In other words, the game pad 16 in the storage state is more compact than the game pad 16 in the use state.

The cinch straps 15, which are optionally provided, are utilized to hold the game pad 16 in the undeployed state (i.e., rolled up, in the example shown in FIG. 1). This allows the game pad 16 to have a smaller footprint and be stored in a smaller area when undeployed and also provides for easier transportation when undeployed.

The game pad 16 can also optionally include the tether 14 (FIG. 2A). The tether 14 may be approximately six feet in length, but other lengths are contemplated. The tether 14 allows for the game pad 16 to be attached to a tether receiving structure 29 (FIG. 5) for stability, convenience, and/or user preference. This tether receiving structure 29 could be a post on a dock (as illustrated in FIG. 5), or a watercraft, for example. The tether 14 has a free end 25 that optionally has a connector 27 thereon. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, a connector 27 is provided and is a loop, however other types of connector are contemplated, such as a hook, or some other shape that is engageable with a receiving structure to hold the game pad 16. For convenience, the indicia 18 a and 20 a are not shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7.

As illustrated, the game pad 16 includes a single tether 14. In such an instance, when tethering the game pad 16, the game pad 16 may move around, drifting due to currents in the water 19. To address this, more than one tether 14 may be provided (e.g. two tethers), so as to permit the game pad 16 to be secured to the tether receiving structure 29 (see FIG. 6) and would be subject to less movement than would occur if only a single tether 14 is used.

The tether 14 shown in FIGS. 2A and 5 is connected in the middle of one end of the game pad 16, however the tether 14 could be connected anywhere suitable on the game pad 16, such as at one of the corners of the game pad 16. The tethers 14 shown in FIG. 6 are connected at two adjacent corners of the game pad 16, however the two tethers 14 could be connected anywhere suitable on the game pad 16, such as at two points along one end, or along one of the sides, for example.

The one or more tethers 14 that may be provided, may be used to connect a first game pad 16 to a second game pad 16, as shown in FIG. 7 (wherein the first game pad is identified as 16 a and the second game pad as 16 b). In such an embodiment, each of the first and second game pads 16 a and 16 b may include a tether receiving structure 29 thereon, such as, for example, a mushroom-headed member for snugly receiving the loop shown at the free end 25 of the tether 14 that is on the other of the first and second game pads 16.

While a single tether 14 is shown extending from each of the first and second game pads 16 a and 16 b to the other of the first and second game pads 16 a and 16 b, a plurality of tethers 14 may be provided to extend from each game pad 16 to the other game pad 16.

The first indicia 18 a and/or the second indicia 20 a are configured for interaction with the plurality of game markers 12. In other words, at least one of the first side 18 and the second side 20 includes indicia (18 a and/or 20 a) shaped for interaction with the plurality of game markers 12.

In the present example, the first indicia 18 a are shaped for receiving feet of the user, which are shown in FIG. 3 at 23. The second indicia 20 a are shaped for interaction with the plurality of game markers 12 (shown in FIG. 4).

The first indicia 18 a may be used for a game called “Game Changer Hopscotch”. To utilize the game pad 16 to play Game Changer Hopscotch game, the game pad 16 is oriented in a body of water 19 such that the first side 18 of the game pad 16 faces upwards. The first indicia 18 a may all be squares as shown in FIG. 3, or the first indicia 18 a may have any other suitable shape. The first indicia 18 a form a course that the user (or users) must hop through, in a manner similar to a traditional game of hopscotch. Accordingly, a first user (also referred to as a first player) could stand on the game pad 16 and toss or kick one of the game markers 12, in an attempt for the tossed or kicked game marker 12 to land completely within one of the first indicia 18 a.

Upon a successful attempt to toss or kick one of the game markers 12 to land within one of the first indicia 18 a, the first player then hops through the course of first indicia 18 a, optionally skipping any first indicia 18 a with game markers 12 therein. As is known from traditional hopscotch, where a first indicium 18 a appears alone in the course, the first player hops into it on one foot, whereas, where the first indicia 18 a appear in a pair, side-by-side, the first player hops into them with both feet, one foot in each of the first indicia 18 a of the pair. After completing the course in one direction, the first player then turns around and return through the course to reach the first indicia 18 a with the game marker 12. The first player then stops at the first indicium 18 a before the one in which the game marker 12 landed and reaches down to retrieve the game marker 12. The first player then continues through the course to reach the beginning of the course.

As will be appreciated, completing the course with the game pad 16 floating in the body of water 19 can be more difficult than in a game of traditional hopscotch that is on land. If a plurality of game pads 16 are connected together end-to-end, the length of the course can be increased. Optionally, the first indicia 18 a are positioned such that a first portion, shown at 18 a 1, of a particular one of the first indicia 18 a are provided at a first end of the game pad 16 and a second portion, shown at 18 a 2, of that same particular one of the first indicia 18 a is provided at a second end of the game pad 16, such that, when the first end of a first game pad 16 is mated with the second end of a second game pad 16, (e.g. using tethers 14), the first and second portions 18 a 1 and 18 a 2 together mate to form one of the first indicia 18 a.

The second indicia 20 a may be used for a game called “Game Changer 21”. To utilize the game pad 16 to play the Game Changer 21 game, the game pad 16 is oriented in the water 19 such that the second side 20 of the game pad 16 faces upwards. With teams of players at either end of the game pad 16, the game markers 12 are thrown by each team in order to land on second indicia 20 a that are at the end nearest the other team.

The second indicia 20 a are shaped based on the plurality of game markers 12. For example, the second indicia 20 a may be shaped such that the second indicia 20 a are completely coverable by each of the game markers 12. Alternatively, the second indicia 20 a may be shaped such that the game markers 12 can be positioned in such a way as to fit completely within each second indicium 20 a without extending outside of each second indicium 20 a. While it is said that the second indicia 20 a are shaped based on the plurality of game markers 12, it may equally be said that the plurality of game markers 12 are shaped based on the second indicia 20 a.

For the second indicia 20 a that are shown, points are scored when the game markers 12 land completely within the second indicia 20 a (an example of which is shown in FIG. 4). As noted above, however, different second indicia 20 a could be provided which are intended to be completely coverable by the game markers 12 instead of being shaped to receive the game markers 12 completely therein. In some embodiments, a first plurality of second indicia 20 a could be provided that are shaped to receive the game markers 12 completely therein, and a second plurality of second indicia 20 a could be provided that are shaped to be completely coverable by the game markers 12.

Once a team has thrown all the game markers 12 to the opposing end of the game pad 16, scored points are totaled, and the other team throws the game markers 12 back towards the other end, in order to land on second indicia 20 a there, so as to score points. As shown in FIG. 4, there are second indicia 20 a that, if landed upon, add points to a team's score, and second indicia that, if landed upon, subtract points from the team's score. Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more second indicia 20 a may be a Game Changer—Swap Scores target, which may, for example, be shaped as a Star Fish. Landing on this second indicium 20 a would cause the scores of the two teams to be swapped with one another.

The first team to accumulate a selected number of points (e.g., 21 points) wins the game.

Because the game pad 16 is floating in the body of water 19, and because the game pad 16 conforms to the surface 19 a of the water, the game play for either of the games described herein is made more difficult and more interesting than if these games were played on land on a flat, unmoving surface. The added randomness provided by the movement of the water 19 enhances the game play and can make the games more interesting than if they were played on a flat, unmoving surface.

It is envisioned that the game pad 16 may also be used out of the water, in some instances, such as on the beach, where its flexibility causes it to conform to the surface of the beach, which can be other than flat, thereby still providing some difference and some increased difficulty relative to a version of the game being played on a flat, unmoving surface.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating game, comprising: a plurality of game markers that are floatable in water; and a game pad that is sufficiently floatable in water to support a plurality of humans thereon in water, the game pad including a first side and a second side that face away from one another, wherein at least one of the first side and the second side includes indicia shaped based on the plurality of game markers, wherein the game pad is flexible and conforms in shape based on a surface of the water, wherein the game pad is positionable in a storage state in which the game pad, and in a use state, wherein the game pad is more compact in the storage state than in the use state.
 2. A floating game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicia for interaction with the plurality of game markers are on the second side, and wherein the first side includes indicia shaped for receiving feet of the humans thereon.
 3. A floating game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indicia are printed on said one of the first and second sides.
 4. A floating game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tether that is connected to the game pad, wherein the tether has a free end that is connectable to a tether receiving structure to hold the game pad in a selected region of the water.
 5. A floating game as claimed in claim 4, wherein the game pad is a first game pad, and wherein the floating game further comprises a second game pad, wherein the second game pad includes a tether receiving structure that is shaped to hold the free end of the tether from the first game pad.
 6. A floating game as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicia on said one of the first and second sides are sized to receive the game markers therein.
 7. A floating game as claimed in claim 4, wherein the indicia on said first side are positioned such that a first portion of one of the indicia is positioned at a first end of the game pad and a second portion of said one of the indicia is positioned at a second end of the game pad, such that, when the first end of a first one of the game pad is mated with the second end of a second one of the game pad, the first and second portions together mate to form said one of the indicia. 